Holly & Ivy

Because of their association with Christmas we’ve been digging up some interesting facts about these two plants.

Holly

With its shiny leaves and bright scarlet berries Holly Ilex aquifolium is probably the plant that is most associated with Christmas, it represents Christ’s crown of thorns, whilst the berries are drops of blood. It is supposed to guard against the evil eye.

Traditionally it was a symbol of eternal life although there were a lot of superstitions associated with it as well. Because it was regarded as unlucky to cut down a holly tree many were left standing whilst others trees and shrubs around them were cut down, so you may still spot one growing in the midst of a hedgerow.

DID YOU KNOW…

• Folklore says that a good crop of berries is a warming of a hard winter ahead. In fact a bumper crop is the result of a good summer that has just passed.
• Holly wood is white, sometimes with a green streak and is dense, hard and heavy. The wood was commonly used for carving, inlay work and woodcuts.
• The bark of a Holly tree is green when young but becomes grey and smooth with age.
• The small scented male and female flowers appear in May on separate trees. Only female trees bear the brilliant red berries.
• Caterpillars of the Holly Blue butterfly feed on the buds.
• It is unlucky to bring Holly into the house before Christmas Eve and unlucky to then discard it before Twelfth Night.   

Ivy

For many Ivy is a dark and dangerous plant, a reputation gained partially because it grows by clinging to trees and bushes apparently choking them to death. In reality Ivy is one of the most valuable plant around for wildlife as it provides shelter at all times and the winter flowers and berries are a welcome food source when other supplies have all but disappeared.

Although its clinging habitat does not actually kill the supporting tree, it may well weaken it by competing for water, nutrients and light. It is one of the few British climbers to reach any great height
30m (100ft) with support.

DID YOU KNOW…

• In folklore Ivy is a kindly plant and with its clinging habitat is a female symbol and a sign of fertility as it refuses to die in winter.
• It was once believed that if Ivy grew on the walls of a house the occupants were said to be safe from witches, but if it withered disaster could be expected.
• Water and wine mixed in an Ivy wood bowl are said to automatically separate, so the leaves and berries were once used to protect against the effects of drunkenness.
• An Ivy wreath worn ‘with perseverance’ is said to prevent falling hair.
• Corns are supposed to be cured by binding Ivy leaves in vinegar over them.
• A vinegar of Ivy berries was a popular remedy in the Great Plague of London 1665.

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The Carol

The version of the Holly and the Ivy carol that we are familiar with today, printed below, was first published by Cecil Sharp. The Holly and the Ivy is said to have Pagan origins and may therefore date back over 1,000 years. It is most unusual for a carol like the Holly and the Ivy to have survived over the years especially during the stern protestant period of the 17th century.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir